Childrens Inflatable Play Space

ABSTRACT

The embodied invention is an enclosed fabric structure that provides a three dimensional play area for a child to play in when it is inflated by a fan. Entry to the play area is by a tunnel connected to the enclosed fabric structure, which in turn, is connected to a horseshoe lift gate. Other tunnels can be connected to the fabric structure to allow additional fabric structures to be interconnected. This provides larger play volumes to be created. The tunnels are interconnected by gates with connecting features to seal them together.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

This invention is directed toward children's play structures, in particular, folding or collapsible play enclosures such as tents and similar lightweight structures, where children play inside, or next to, an area defined by a portable boundary.

(2) Description of Related Art

Children have long used play areas that are defined by tents. For example, many parents and children use blankets and sheets to create ‘on the spot’ temporary shelters where children then play with a portable roof over their heads. Though simply and easily done, it is a fun and imaginative venture for young children to create the space and play inside it.

Many children also will play inside boxes for similar reasons when boxes are available. In particular, large boxes, such as discarded appliance boxes, are amusing to climb into. A child's imagination can transform the box into many things—such as boats, space ships, cars, airplanes, etc. and then have very imaginative play. However, boxes of this size are not often available for children to play in, and have a number of issues that will concern parents. They often contain large metal staples which are likely to cause scratches or injury. They are subject to degradation when used out of doors, and they are limited in geometry. It is frustrating and difficult to connect them together for larger play areas.

Playing with boxes and under/inside tents appears instinctual or innate for children.

Others have worked in the field of children's play areas. For example U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,174 describes a teaching tent designed to amuse and educate children. However, the tent was not designed for convenient assembly nor was there consideration given to adding additional adjoining play areas in a rapid and convenient manner.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,935 describes a general sandbox which can be used for other purposes. Though such structures define a play area, it is not enclosed like a tent and does not inspire the same type of play/imagination.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,258,020 describes a children's play tent which has advantages of portability. However, its large vertical size makes it largely unsuitable for playing indoors. Also, the wooden structure is objectionable for children's play as any failure in assembly is likely to cause injury if a tent were to collapse.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,064,663 describes a multi component shelter, however, it lacks portability and ease of assembly. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,337 also describes a shelter with an entry; however, it also lacks portability and ease of assembly.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,698 describes a collapsible teepee shelter. Though it is described as portable, in use for children's play, its portability is restricted due to the complicated and heavy internal support structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,119 describes an improved entrance for an air inflated enclosure. The double entrance includes a double door arrangement with a stiffened archway to support an entry tunnel. The entry slit arrangement is over complicated from a manufacturing standpoint, and the double entry design does not lend itself to a modular, connectable design for the overall structure. If the entrance gates are placed near each other, it is frustrating to move from play area to play area.

EP 1,559,854 describes a portable fabric structure with an inflatable base. Though there is a measure of convenience with respect to being inflatable, the fact that both a rigid structure and an inflatable base are both used adds undue complication to the play area assembly. Also, no methods to combine multiple structures together are conceived.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,089,703 discloses the use of multiple inflated structures but does not provide for important practical aspects. The use of a hook and loop system does not lend itself to connection reliability between tunnels and structures. Also, the entry system into the structure is awkward and does not provide a modular type of system where it is easy to pass from one structure to the next. Imaginative play is restricted due to the high isolation barrier. There does not appear to be a design for internal lighting or being able to see outside of the enclosed structure.

What is lacking in the art is a children's play area that provides rapid assembly/creation, modular units that allows for expansion into larger play areas, easy mobility, combined with lightweight portability.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodied invention is an enclosed fabric structure that provides a three dimensional play area for a child to play in when it is inflated by a fan. Entry to the play area is by a tunnel connected to the enclosed fabric structure, which in turn, is connected to a horseshoe lift gate. Other tunnels can be connected to the fabric structure to allow additional fabric structures to be interconnected. This provides larger play volumes to be created. The tunnels are interconnected by gates with connecting features to seal them together. Windows can be incorporated into the fabric structures to provide play options and internal lighting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIGS. 1A-1B show a general view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2A-2E show details of FIG. 1 and alternative gate sealing arrangements.

FIG. 3 illustrates how modules of fabric structures are joined together to make a larger play area.

FIG. 4 shows a detail view of how a window would be inserted into a fabric structure.

FIG. 5 shows a child inside the fabric structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A shows a fan 101 that is connected to an enclosed fabric structure 102 which is supported (inflated) entirely by internal air pressure generated by the fan. The fan is connected by a fan fabric connection 103 which generates both the needed volume of air and pressure of air to keep the fabric structure 102 supported. The fabric structure is made out of a cloth fabric that is designed to breathe, that is, is porous and is not solid. The fabric structure defines a volume in three dimensional space useful for children's play, such as a dome or cube. This provides safety for children playing inside in the structure to ensure that the children will not suffocate in the event that the fan fails or that the fan fabric connection 103 were to come loose. Preferably, the material is cleanable by washing such as by a washing machine.

Entry into the fabric structure 102 is provided by gates, which in turn are either open 105 or closed 104. The open gate is shown in its temporary position where the fabric is lifted up at one end and the child (or adult, i.e. person) then moves into the fabric structure 102 to play. The gate is then closed, as illustrated in the closed gate 104 to allow the fan air to keep the fabric structure inflated. The fan is designed to provide enough air flow capacity to keep up with minor leaking around the loose seal between the closed gate 104 and the ground. The use of a centrifugal fan is one embodiment of the invention.

In an embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1A, the gates are attached to entry/exit tunnels 106 a,b to provide obvious ways into the main fabric structure. The tunnels also provide other benefits such as ways to connect the fabric structures together. The tunnels have fabric on four sides: top, bottom, and both sides. The fabric structure 102 will have a floor made out of the fabric to improve air leakage. FIG. 1B illustrates that the gate is made up of four sides of material as additionally illustrated by shading. The tunnels are preferably enclosed on all four sides so as to maintain air pressure even if they get crimped or stepped on. However, the gates themselves only connect at the top and sides of the tunnel and not at the bottom (due to the horseshoe design/shape). The benefit is that larger adults are able to enter the structure along with children than would be possible if the gate was a square shape. By enclosing the bottom of the tunnel with fabric, it also reduces air leakage to a great extent.

FIG. 2A shows an entry gate frame 202 with magnets 201 a,b of opposite polarity surrounding the gate frame. The magnets are particularly useful when the frame 202 is used to join together two neighboring fabric structures as illustrated in FIG. 2B or for connecting two entry points of one structure together to form a long play tunnel that loops back to the same play area. In FIG. 2B two gate frames 204 a,b are used to join two gates 203 a,b. In FIG. 2C, the magnet 205 is recessed into the left frame 206, and will then match up to the opposite polarity magnet 207 which is recessed into the right frame 208. Essentially, the magnets are recessed into both frames as illustrated for the single magnet in FIG. 2C so that the magnets bring the two tunnels together for a reasonably low air loss seal.

FIGS. 2D and 2E show alternative ways for pairs of gate frames to seal together. In FIG. 2D, flexible clasps 209 are inserted into slots 210 to interlock the frames together. As shown in the right view, the slots 210 are offset below the clasps 209 on the right hand side and the opposite on the left hand side so as to allow better matching when assembling gate pairs together. In FIG. 2E another alternate method of interlocking the frames together is shown. A stud and socket system is used where the studs 211 fit tightly into the sockets 212 with a friction fit.

Though these gate connecting features are shown, they are exemplary and not meant to be limiting. Other connecting features could also be used.

FIG. 3 shows two fabric structures 301, 302 in the shape of cubes (which define three dimensional play spaces) that are connected together through a tunnel 303 that is connected by a magnetic seal 304 (previously described) that was shown in detail in FIG. 2C. The two cubes are made out of fabric as mentioned in FIG. 1, and inflated by fans 308 a,b as illustrated. One or both of the fans 308 a,b may be employed, depending upon the design and the leakage rate.

A clear plastic window 305 that is zippered 306 into the side of the cube provides internal light and a sense of visibility to the play area inside the cube. It also provides improved ways of playing, allowing for various imagined games which require separation and privacy, but not lack of visibility. Another possible window that could be zippered into the side would be an opaque lighting panel that allows light to pass through but provides little actual visibility. A large mesh screen with large openings and high porosity, such as a bug screen, is not envisioned as it would be difficult to provide sufficient fan capacity to keep the cube inflated due to the high air leakage rate.

An embodied design for the entry tunnel and connecting tunnel provides features for using a zipper 307 to connect them into the larger fabric structure. The zipper type can be chosen to have a low air leakage rate. When a tunnel is not desired/used, a ‘blank’ fabric, which covers the opening, can be used instead. This provides flexibility to the structure assembly by covering holes and altering the assembly. Hook and loop type of connections are less favorable for long term sealing as they tend to clog with dirt and lint, and have a higher air leakage rate.

When the entry gate is lifted, the air in the fabric structure will leak out at a high rate. There is no additional air flow stop at the connection to the fabric structure. When the gate is down, the air is sealed by the tightness of the gate to the ground. Thus, it is helpful that the overall structure be placed on a relatively smooth surface such as a carpet, grass, or a tile floor.

FIG. 4 shows a zipper with a fabric structure material 401 on the left and a clear plastic window 402 on the right. Similarly, the tunnels are zippered into the fabric structure along the lines previously illustrated. If the windows and any gates are removed, it is much easier to wash the fabric.

FIG. 5 shows a child inside the fabric structure, along with a table and chair.

It is helpful to point out that not only larger play volumes can be created by connecting tunnels, but there is also greater utilization of available geometry within a confined space. When longer tunnels are added, the play structure could easily span multiple bedrooms and hallways.

It is also useful to use a transparent material for the entire structure for increased safety. If the material is not completely transparent, a different effect/feel to the enclosed structure can be completed.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, the invention may be modified and adapted to various operational methods to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the description and figure shown herein, and includes all such embodiments, changes, and modifications that are encompassed by the scope of the claims. 

I claim:
 1. An air inflated assembly for the purpose of children's play comprising: A) an enclosed fabric structure, B) at least one fan, wherein said at least one fan is used to inflate said enclosed fabric structure, C) wherein said enclosed fabric structure defines a three dimensional space when inflated, D) wherein said three dimensional space is large enough for children's play, E) a first tunnel, wherein one end of said first tunnel is connected to said enclosed fabric structure, F) an entry gate, wherein said entry gate is attached to the other end of said first tunnel, G) wherein said entry gate is designed to allow passage of a person into said first tunnel by lifting, and H) wherein the connection between said first tunnel and said enclosed fabric structure is designed to allow passage of said person into said three dimensional space.
 2. The air inflated assembly according to claim 1 further comprising: I) a second tunnel, wherein one end of said second tunnel is connected to said enclosed fabric structure, J) a connecting gate, wherein said connecting gate is attached to the other end of said second tunnel, and K) said connecting gate incorporates connecting features for the purpose of connecting with other gates, wherein said other gates are connected to other enclosed fabric structures.
 3. The air inflated assembly according to claim 1 wherein a window is incorporated into said enclosed fabric structure by use of a zipper.
 4. The air inflated assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first tunnel is connected to said enclosed fabric structure by use of a zipper.
 5. The air inflated assembly according to claim 2 wherein a second fan is used to inflate said other enclosed fabric structures.
 6. The air inflated assembly according to claim 5 wherein a said first tunnel is connected to said enclosed fabric structure by use of a zipper.
 7. The air inflated assembly according to claim 1 wherein a window is incorporated into said enclosed fabric structure by use of a zipper.
 8. The air inflated assembly according to claim 2 wherein said connecting features are one item selected from the group consisting of: i) magnets, ii) clasps, and iii) socket and stud. 